University of New Mexico Police have arrested a man accused of unlawfully touching a female student and holding her against her will when she tried to pull away. Henry Budford of Brimhall, N.M., 50, is charged with false imprisonment in connection with an incident Monday morning Aug. 10, outside the UNM Bookstore near Central SW.
The young woman told police she saw the man asking for food and money, so she bought something for him to eat and drink, and gave him $10 cash. He then asked if he could pray with her and she said yes. He then grabbed her, pulled her toward him, and placed his face against her clothed chest several times, as she tried repeatedly to get away. He then grabbed her breasts as she broke free and ran.
The University issued a Lobo Advisory warning the campus about the incident and asking for any information leading to a suspect. A staff member at Zimmerman Library reported to police that a man fitting the description in the advisory had been seen in the library and had signed the visitor’s log as Henry Budford.
On Tuesday, police received a call of a man fitting the description near the statues east of Popejoy Hall. Officers arrested him on two outstanding warrants of domestic violence and shoplifting, then booked him into the Metro Detention Center. After a follow-up investigation and a positive identification by the student through a photo line-up, UNMPD obtained a warrant against Budford on charges of false imprisonment.
“It is encouraging that the University’s Lobo Alert and Advisory system worked to get the message out to campus leading to this arrest,” said UNM Police Chief Kevin McCabe. “It is important for students, staff and faculty to pay attention to these warnings and to respond, so that we can keep our campus as safe as possible.”
All students, staff and faculty are automatically enrolled in Lobo Alerts.
A routine test of the alert system is conducted through text messages, emails, social media and an on campus siren each semester. The next test is set for Sept. 1.
For more information about the alert system and campus safety, go to to campussafety.unm.edu.